Get to Know: Naomi Osaka

NAOMI OSAKA

Rank: World No. 44
Age: 20-years-old
Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
Height: 5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
Plays: Right-Handed
Career Winnings (to date): $1,483,053

If she isn’t on your radar already, she should be. The young Naomi Osaka has quietly been playing some great tennis this year, but after her run at Indian Wells, the 20-year-old from Japan cannot be ignored. Of Haitian and Japanese descent, Osaka’s family moved to New York in order to be closer to relatives on her father’s side. She spends most of her time training and living in Florida now, but has continued to play for her home country, Japan. Osaka’s tennis idol growing up was Serena Williams, and it shows in her style of play.

Some say the William’s sisters’ changed up the game of tennis by introducing a more aggressive playing style, featuring powerful shots and quick game finishers. Mark down Osaka as graduating with honors from that school of tennis. When she hits the ball it looks like it was shot out of a cannon, and her aggressive style of play at the baseline combined with a thunderous forehand has been known to throw some of the World’s top players off their game.

Osaka has made a quick rise up the rankings in the past couple of years, and is now trying to establish herself as a constant threat at the big events. She’ll make her third main draw appearance at the Volvo Car Open in April, where she reached the third round in 2017. Could she go all the way this year? Time will tell.

Snag your ticket now to watch Osaka compete in Charleston! Tickets >>